Graveyard Train - Adelaide, 10th May 2012
Words: Jo Taylor
Local opening act four piece outfit The Bakers Digest were a fitting starter to the night, but unfortunately had a slightly lacking crowd number. Nonetheless, the ones who were there were treated to some fine folk musicianship.
Next were much anticipated local four piece act Bearded Gypsy Band who were greeted with an enthusiastic crowd and in no time their infectious luscious tunes driven by violin, gorgeous Spanish style guitar and jazzy drum beats with the rare glimpse of vocals as displayed in their song Josephine had many folks dancing and warmed the crowd up well for what Graveyard Train had in-store for us.
Starting a little later than anticipated, seven very interesting disheveled characters meandered onto the dim stage and grabbed their instruments. Yes, that is a chain and hammer you spy! A washboard! Suddenly your stretching your neck for a better view and everyone is cramming in closer. Anticipation grew quickly and there was a buzz already apparent in the room. No fancy lighting or extravagant fixtures were required here. The music and mayhem was all that was needed.
From the very first strains of the swaggering lap-steel guitar that began opening song, The Priest, you know this isnʼt going to be a run of the mill gig. Itʼs a gritty song that makes you suddenly feel like youʼve been working the fields all day and the only thing thatʼll settle you is the whisky in your hand. Their lyrics are a lonesome wolf howling at the night. The baritone growling vocals that are reminiscent of Tom Waits and Mark Lanegan and the demented howls that escape now and then drive the crowd to even more chaotic withering dance movements and producing smiles from only those that have the underlying knowledge that this night is going to make the ground shake!
Next were much anticipated local four piece act Bearded Gypsy Band who were greeted with an enthusiastic crowd and in no time their infectious luscious tunes driven by violin, gorgeous Spanish style guitar and jazzy drum beats with the rare glimpse of vocals as displayed in their song Josephine had many folks dancing and warmed the crowd up well for what Graveyard Train had in-store for us.
Starting a little later than anticipated, seven very interesting disheveled characters meandered onto the dim stage and grabbed their instruments. Yes, that is a chain and hammer you spy! A washboard! Suddenly your stretching your neck for a better view and everyone is cramming in closer. Anticipation grew quickly and there was a buzz already apparent in the room. No fancy lighting or extravagant fixtures were required here. The music and mayhem was all that was needed.
From the very first strains of the swaggering lap-steel guitar that began opening song, The Priest, you know this isnʼt going to be a run of the mill gig. Itʼs a gritty song that makes you suddenly feel like youʼve been working the fields all day and the only thing thatʼll settle you is the whisky in your hand. Their lyrics are a lonesome wolf howling at the night. The baritone growling vocals that are reminiscent of Tom Waits and Mark Lanegan and the demented howls that escape now and then drive the crowd to even more chaotic withering dance movements and producing smiles from only those that have the underlying knowledge that this night is going to make the ground shake!
Already with a strong dedicated fan following on this, only their second performance in Adelaide, the seven piece Melbourne outfit launch into the more upbeat Iʼm Gone, which has a slight bluegrass feel to it and gets the tiredest of feet tapping. Followed by the infectious harmonica and banjo driven tune A Tall Shadow. The deep chain gang vocalising really giving the song scope and soon you find yourself singing along. Thatʼs it, you're hooked!
The train-track drumbeat and banjo combination kept the momentum going with The Sermon featured on their new album release Hollow. Followed by new song Scarecrow which they informed us, had never been played live before. The lap-steel guitar was immediately captivating and the crowd appreciated the sweet sounds being tested on our ears. If the crowd were the waters they were testing, then the water was definitely near boiling point!
Dirge blues of Even Witches Like to Go Out Dancing is another crowd favorite and no-one could keep still to the rhythmic washboard. Manic smiles during the slow sexy upright bass solo partnered with the deep vocals ensures these guys have won themselves an even stronger following.
The guys interact constantly with the crowd and each member feeds off the others energy. You get the feeling youʼre really seeing something special. Another beat heavy tune One Foot in the Grave with crazed vocals had the crowd swaggering before diving into The Doomsday Cult Blues which ended with a magnificent trashing of the tambourine. This is how rock and roll is meant to be. Unabashed passion and determination to dominate the night and all that lurks within it.
The train-track drumbeat and banjo combination kept the momentum going with The Sermon featured on their new album release Hollow. Followed by new song Scarecrow which they informed us, had never been played live before. The lap-steel guitar was immediately captivating and the crowd appreciated the sweet sounds being tested on our ears. If the crowd were the waters they were testing, then the water was definitely near boiling point!
Dirge blues of Even Witches Like to Go Out Dancing is another crowd favorite and no-one could keep still to the rhythmic washboard. Manic smiles during the slow sexy upright bass solo partnered with the deep vocals ensures these guys have won themselves an even stronger following.
The guys interact constantly with the crowd and each member feeds off the others energy. You get the feeling youʼre really seeing something special. Another beat heavy tune One Foot in the Grave with crazed vocals had the crowd swaggering before diving into The Doomsday Cult Blues which ended with a magnificent trashing of the tambourine. This is how rock and roll is meant to be. Unabashed passion and determination to dominate the night and all that lurks within it.
Life is elsewhere slowed the pace a little and allowed everyone to regain some energy (and more beer). Then the banjo kicked in with the chain gang baritone hymns of Run Billy Run with the slaved chant bellow that so few would be able to achieve and it was only fitting that chain driven song Bit by a Dog followed, which hooks you in and drags you through to the end. The bluesy lap-steel guitar got the crowd screaming for more which was delivered in the form of Boneyard.
The final song of the set All Will Be Gone with manic screams that “your life will end and one day we wont be here” ensured every single crowd member were reminded to enjoy every moment. And try not to die. Itʼs a humour and truth. The audience were left wanting more as the band left the stage.
Just a few moments passed before the intriguing silhouettes returned and answered the demands with Mummy. “Move like a mummy” and indeed there was dancing or some form of. After asking fans if they wanted a fast or slow tune to end on, the crowd werenʼt shy in letting their requests be known. After some deliberation, they swept into Ballad for Beelzebub. Layered with beautiful harmonica and fine banjo picking and lyrics stating “weʼll play till weʼre dead”. It seemed an appropriate way to end an amazing night.
This band clearly live and breath their music and their fans feed off it. Itʼs a music relationship made in the depths of hell. Canʼt wait for next time!
The final song of the set All Will Be Gone with manic screams that “your life will end and one day we wont be here” ensured every single crowd member were reminded to enjoy every moment. And try not to die. Itʼs a humour and truth. The audience were left wanting more as the band left the stage.
Just a few moments passed before the intriguing silhouettes returned and answered the demands with Mummy. “Move like a mummy” and indeed there was dancing or some form of. After asking fans if they wanted a fast or slow tune to end on, the crowd werenʼt shy in letting their requests be known. After some deliberation, they swept into Ballad for Beelzebub. Layered with beautiful harmonica and fine banjo picking and lyrics stating “weʼll play till weʼre dead”. It seemed an appropriate way to end an amazing night.
This band clearly live and breath their music and their fans feed off it. Itʼs a music relationship made in the depths of hell. Canʼt wait for next time!